When Bravo dropped the first look trailer for The Real Housewives of Rhode Island at BravoCon 2025, fans finally got a taste of what to expect: seaside opulence, deep-rooted friendship dynamics, and that classic Housewives-style tension simmering under a tight-knit community. As one cast member says in the trailer, “Rhode Island is a blip on the map, but to us, it’s the center of the universe.”
Here’s a breakdown of each of the seven full-time cast members (plus a familiar friend of the housewives) who they are, what they bring to the table, and what storylines might be coming.
The Cast: Who’s Who in RHORI
1. Alicia Carmody
- Alicia is described in her Bravo bio as “Rhode Island to the core.”
- In the trailer, she openly calls herself a “flip-flopper” — suggesting she’s emotionally complex, or perhaps unpredictable in her relationships.
- She’s been engaged for eight years to her fiancé, Billy Kitsilis, and they have a daughter named Celina.
- Professionally, she helps run Pizza Mamma, a restaurant in Cranston, with Billy.
- One particularly fiery moment in the trailer: Alicia tells someone, “Don’t f— with me. Welcome to Rhode Island, b—. This is how we roll.”
- She also alludes to long-term relationships and deep connections in this small state: “If they didn’t see you in kindergarten, it’s a problem.”
Why she’s compelling: Alicia brings emotional volatility, rooted local ties, and business chops — she could be the glue that holds many of the social threads together, or the spark that ignites real drama.
2. Rosie DiMare
- Rosie is a former local TV news anchor, which gives her that poised, media-savvy presence.
- Now, she hosts her own lifestyle show and works as a DJ.
- She’s married to Rich DiMare, who performs in a classic Frank–Sinatra-style — this adds a vintage, glamorous element to her story.
- In the trailer, other castmates describe her as someone who is “not afraid to call people out.”
Why she’s compelling: With her media background, Rosie likely has a sharp eye for conflict, plus the confidence and platform to amplify drama — but she could also act as a truth-teller or a voice of reason.
3. Ashley Iaconetti
- Ashley is well-known from The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise.
- She’s married to Jared Haibon, a Rhode Island native, and they have two sons (Dawson and Hayden).
- Together, they run Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge in South Kingstown, which becomes part of her Housewives narrative in the trailer.
- In her confessional in the trailer, Ashley says, “This is not the kind of people that I’m usually around,” hinting at her being something of an outsider to Rhode Island’s entrenched social circles.
- Her presence is notable: she’s reportedly the first “Bachelor Nation” star to become a full-time Real Housewife.
Why she’s compelling: Ashley brings cross-franchise fame, fresh eyes, and the tension of being “the new girl.” Her transition from Bachelor life to RI’s tight-knit community could create a lot of emotionally rich and fish-out-of-water moments.
4. Liz McGraw
- Liz is called Rhode Island’s “Cannabis Queen” in her Bravo bio.
- She co-owns The Slater Center, the largest cannabis dispensary in Rhode Island, with her husband.
- She also plays a major social role in the cast: in the trailer, she’s referred to as “the dominant figure-head.”
- Another important note: Dolores Catania (of RHONJ) appears in RHORI as a “friend of the cast” via her friendship with Liz.
- Liz also balances business with family: she’s described as a devoted stepmom to her husband’s children.
Why she’s compelling: Liz combines power, entrepreneurship, and legacy. Her cannabis business is glamorous and controversial, which could lead to high-stakes drama; plus, her friendship with Dolores adds a cross-show layer.
5. Rulla Nehme Pontarelli
- Rulla is a certified financial planner and wealth manager, serving high-net-worth East Coast families.
- She’s married to Brian Pontarelli, a prominent Rhode Island podiatrist, and they have two kids, Luca and Laila.
- In the trailer, she’s praised for her “confidence and beauty” and called “a boss.”
Why she’s compelling: She brings serious business acumen and financial power to the group. Her high-status career and family life could make her a stabilizing force — or someone wielding real influence in friendships and conflicts.
6. Kelsey Swanson
- Kelsey is a former Miss Rhode Island USA (2017), which already gives her pageant pedigree.
- Professionally, she’s one of RI’s top makeup artists.
- In the trailer, she’s described as “beautiful, smart, and stunning.”
- She makes a provocative comment: “I don’t refer to myself as a sugarbaby. My boyfriend is actually attractive. The money is just a plus.”
- According to her bio, she’s been in a 10-year relationship with a “notable figure” in Rhode Island.
Why she’s compelling: Kelsey adds glamour, youth, and a hint of controversy. Her pageant past and high-profile relationship set the stage for storylines about identity, status, and what she brings to her social circle.
7. Jo-Ellen Tiberi
- Jo-Ellen is described in the trailer as the “town gossip”. One cast member says, “If I need an FBI agent, I’m calling Jo-Ellen. She knows everything.”
- She is one of the country’s top aesthetic practice development managers, combining business with beauty.
- She is married to Gary Tiberi, her high school sweetheart, and they have three children: Gian, Jolie, and Gia.
Why she’s compelling: Jo-Ellen is poised to be the networker, the one who “knows all the tea.” Her connections, community knowledge, and career make her central to much of the social web. She may stir the pot — or expose secrets.
Friend of the Housewives: Dolores Catania
- Dolores Catania, of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, appears in RHORI as a friend, not a full-time Housewife.
- Her link to the cast comes through Liz McGraw — they are close friends and may even have a business project together, according to Bravo’s trailer.
- Her presence brings cross-franchise intrigue and could draw fans who know her from RHONJ.
Why she’s compelling: Dolores brings nostalgia, experience, and a bridge between Housewives franchises. Her friendship with Liz could lead to major cross-cast drama or mentorship dynamics.
Big Themes & Potential Storylines to Watch
Based on what we see in the trailer, here are some of the big narrative threads and themes likely to arise in RHORI:
- Deep Family & Generational Ties: The cast emphasizes long-standing roots and overlapping histories — in Rhode Island, generations matter, and connections run deep.
- Ambition in Small Spaces: From Liz’s cannabis empire to Rulla’s financial business to Kelsey’s beauty career, several of the women juggle major professional stakes.
- Outsider vs. Insider: Ashley’s arrival as someone who didn’t grow up in this tight-knit circle sets up tension. She seems reflective, emotional, and a little out of her depth in this world.
- Truth, Gossip & Power: With Jo-Ellen calling out that she “knows everything,” there’s likely to be drama over secrets, power plays, and who really controls the narrative.
- Romance & Identity: Alicia’s long engagement, Kelsey’s controversial relationship, and the personal stakes of love and money will likely fuel conflict.
- Cross-Show Energy: Dolores’ role hints at potential inter-franchise drama or mentorship, especially in relation to Liz.
